Strategy Guides & Analysis
Dividend investing research, ETF strategy guides, and portfolio model breakdowns — optimized for yield, risk tier, and NAV stability.
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- ETF deep dives with yield and risk-tier context.
- Portfolio models (income, growth, and stability blends).
- Strategy explainers to avoid yield traps and NAV erosion.
NAV Erosion vs Return of Capital: What High-Yield Investors Get Wrong
Learn the critical difference between true NAV erosion and return of capital distributions.
Understanding Liquidity Risk: Why AUM Matters More Than Yield
A practical guide to evaluating liquidity risk in dividend ETFs. Learn how low AUM, thin bid-ask spreads, and fund closures silently erode returns.
JEPQ vs QQQI: The Nasdaq Income Showdown
J.P. Morgan's JEPQ vs NEOS's QQQI. The definitive tax and performance comparison.
SCHD vs VIG vs DGRO: The Dividend Growth Showdown
Comparing the 'Big 3' of dividend growth. Which ETF is best for long-term compounding?
The "Sleep Well" Portfolio: The Perfect 50/50 Split
The ultimate set-and-forget strategy using SCHD and JEPI.
The "Tax-Free" Roth Build: Maximizing Your IRA
How to use REITs and BDCs to create a tax-free income machine.
The "Yield Max" Speculator: How to Gamble Responsibly
A 90/10 satellite strategy using TSLY/NVDY to boost yield.
The Growth Transition: A Dividend Glidepath by Age
How to shift from VIG to JEPI as you approach retirement.
The "Ultra-Safe" Treasury Ladder: 5% Yield, Zero Risk
Beating the bank with SGOV and USFR. State tax exempt.
Realty Income (O): Is It Finally Cheap Enough?
A valuation audit using AFFO multiples and interest rate models.
MAIN Audit: Why You Pay a 50% Premium
Is Main Street Capital worth 1.5x NAV? We analyze the premium.
The BDC Manual: Avoiding Yield Traps
How to analyze Net Investment Income and Non-Accruals.
The MLP Guide: K-1 Forms and UBTI
Understanding the tax headache of pipelines like EPD.
The First $100 Challenge: Your Roadmap to Passive Income
A step-by-step guide to building your first $100/month income stream.
The Monthly Dividend Calendar
Never miss a payday. The schedule for O, MAIN, JEPI, and SPYI.
The NAV Decay Index: Which ETFs Are Eating Themselves?
A forensic audit of TSLY, NVDY, JEPI. We calculate the 'Burn Rate' to see which funds are toxic.
The Crash Test: How the Cornerstone Portfolio Survived 2022
A data-driven backtest of the Cornerstone Strategy vs. the S&P 500 during the inflation bear market.
The $10,000 Invisible Tax: Return of Capital vs. Qualified Dividends
Why your 'Yield' is a lie. The mathematical proof that Asset Location matters more than Yield.
The Yield Shield: How to Retire 8 Years Earlier
Stop over-saving. The 4% Rule forces you to work years longer than necessary. See the math.
The Dividend Cut Simulator
Stress test your income. Will you survive a 2008-style crash?
The Reinvestment Engine
See the massive difference between spending dividends vs. DRIP.
State Tax Arbitrage: The Best States for Dividend Income
Strategic relocation guide: States with no income tax on dividends and how to maximize your after-tax yield.
Section 199A and REIT Dividends: The 20% Deduction
How to claim the 20% pass-through deduction on REIT dividends and maximize tax savings.
The Dividend Cut Prediction Framework
Our proprietary model for predicting dividend cuts before they happen using financial metrics.
QYLD vs XYLD: The Nasdaq/S&P Income Showdown
Head-to-head comparison of the two most popular covered call ETFs.
BDC Investing 101: MAIN, ARCC, and Private Credit
How Business Development Companies deliver double-digit yields and what risks to watch.
REITs for Monthly Income: O, STAG, and the Best Payers
Building a monthly income stream with real estate investment trusts.
The Complete Guide to Covered Call ETFs
Everything you need to know about covered call ETF strategies, risks, and rewards.
Building a $3k/Month Dividend Portfolio
The specific allocations and tickers needed to generate $3,000 monthly in dividends.
The Barbell Strategy: Mixing Stability with Yield
Combining safe assets with high-yield holdings for optimal risk-adjusted returns.
Tax-Efficient Income: Where to Hold What
Maximize after-tax returns with proper asset location across account types.
The Return of Capital Trap: When Yield Destroys Wealth
Understanding ROC distributions and how they can erode your principal over time.
Building a Recession-Proof Dividend Portfolio
How to construct a portfolio that maintains income during economic downturns.
The 30/30/40 Income Allocation Model
A balanced approach: 30% growth, 30% high yield, 40% stability for sustainable income.
What is FIRE? The Complete Beginner's Guide
Everything you need to know about Financial Independence, Retire Early - from basics to advanced strategies.
Dividend Investing vs Growth: Which Strategy Wins?
A data-driven comparison of dividend and growth investing strategies for different life stages.
Understanding Your 1099-DIV: A Visual Guide
Box-by-box breakdown of the 1099-DIV form with real examples and tax implications.
The 7 Types of Dividend Investors (Which Are You?)
Identify your dividend investing personality and build a portfolio that matches your style.
Building Your First $10k Income Portfolio
A step-by-step guide for beginners to build a diversified dividend portfolio from scratch.
The Monthly Expense 'Kill List'
Gamify your freedom. The exact capital needed to kill Netflix, Rent, and more.
The Health Insurance Hack (ACA)
How to manage AGI using tax-efficient ETFs for massive subsidies.
Geo-Arbitrage & Dividends (Part 1)
Triple your purchasing power by moving to Portugal or Thailand.
One Fund FIRE (Part 1)
Can you retire on just SPYI? We stress test the 'All-In' strategy.
The 'Die With Zero' Counter-Argument
Don't die with zero. Build a Dynasty Trust that pays your grandkids.
Coast FIRE with High Yield
Hit 'Coast FIRE' 5 years earlier by pivoting to high-yield compounders.
Barista FIRE: The $2k/Month Bridge
The specific portfolio needed to quit the corporate grind and work for fun.
The 'Yield Shield' Strategy (Part 1)
Retiring into a recession? Use this cash flow shield to protect your nest egg.
The Inflation Hedge: Why Yield Isn't Enough
A flat 10% yield is a pay cut. You need Dividend Growth to fight inflation.
Audit Your 'Safe Withdrawal Rate'
Calculating your True SWR by subtracting NAV erosion from yield.
FIRE for Late Starters (40+)
Catch up on lost time using the 'Hyper-Compounding' of high yield.
$100k Income Ladder: Sleep-Well Yields
How to build a sustainable income stream with $100k.
JEPI: The OG Income ETF
Is the king of covered calls still the best option?
SPYI Deep Dive: The S&P Income Machine
A comprehensive review of the SPYI ETF strategy and risks.
QQQI: Tax-Efficient Nasdaq Income
Using Section 1256 contracts for tax-efficient tech income.
DIVO: Dividends + Options
The 'Growth + Income' alternative to high-yield traps.
The $500k Retirement Portfolio
A complete portfolio allocation for a $500k nest egg.
Core Fortress Only: $2k/Month on $200k
Generating reliable monthly income without yield traps.
The 60/40 Income Alternative
Why the traditional portfolio is dead for income seekers.
Retiree's Choice: Stability First
Prioritizing NAV preservation over maximum yield.
The 4% Rule vs. The 8% Reality
Why the 4% Rule is outdated. How to achieve Perpetual FIRE without selling shares.
Lean FIRE vs. Fat FIRE Allocations
Your portfolio should match your lifestyle. High Yield for Lean, Preservation for Fat.
The Psychology of the Paycheck
Why receiving dividends cures the anxiety of selling shares.
$50k → $500/Month Reality
Starting small: A realistic roadmap for new investors.
The 'Side Hustle' vs. 'Dividend Hustle'
ROI of Uber vs. JEPI. Stop trading time for money.